Winter Holiday Doldrums

Well here it is after the Christmas Holidays and almost non-stop rain
for a couple of weeks and more to come. I am desperate to shoot and to
check on my various hunting grounds to see how the local critters have
faired in the soggy climate? My creative juices are all pent up from
not being able to go and do my local hunts and safaris around my
favorite gardens. Spring where art thou????
Well it is a good time to organize my equipment and to clean up the
same. It is also a good time to back-up and archive all of my recent
shoots. Also a time to clean up files and dig up other frames and see
what I can do with them, there may be some gems buried?
For me taking the camera and one or more of my Macro lens and going
forth to HUNT bugs is a major passion and I definitely feel a loss when
I am not able to get pictures of and record the activities of the myriad
critters to be found in the Macro world.
When the rain stops long enough to semi dry things out, it is amazing
that even here at the end of December you can still find such critters
as Jumping Spiders, Garden Spiders, Hover Flies and Lady Bug Beetles and
a variety of flowers blooming.;This helps to keep the creative juices going recording and documenting
the lives and habits of those critters. Eve time I am able to go on one
of my hunts I see or learn something new about the critters that I see
and capture. My cameras are truly my visual dairy of the nature that I
see and observe. So what is one to do?
Well take another look at the past shoots and see if there are images
that can be worked and presented? Shoot around the house or apartment
and for those that have pets, that can be a never-ending pursuit to
capture the antics of those that we love. I know my cat is a regular
"Ham" as when I get the camera out he actullling starts "Posing", "see
how good I am" what a character and a joy to be around and shooting him
does help to revitalize my creativity.
Well back to work archiving and creating.
Happy New Year.

Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Fine Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
http://www.carolebanksimages.com
http://www.athosimageworks.com
http://athosimageworks.blogspot.com//
http://urbanstreet.blogspot.com/
http://athosimageworks.com/serendipity/

Macro Pursuits Update

MACRO PURSUIT AND STUDY
Update
Even in the most developed urban environments you can, if you look, find beauty. There are beds of cultivated flowers here and there as well as many flowering weeds breaking through the brick and mortar and concrete along with the Bee's and Spiders and other Bugs. Learn to see as you move about in your daily pursuits. Open your eyes, pause and take a deep breath and the slowly look around, you will most likely see something that moves you. So for your pleasure and to stimulate and encourage you to be more observant this BLOG is presented.
I have been very busy the past months updating and refining my web sites, http://www.carolebanksimages.com, and http://www.athosimageworks.com, please stop in for a visit when you can. KISS-KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID, is most important, simple, clean and straight to the point. Do not waste the viewer's time or make if difficult to navigate to get to where you want them to go.
MACRO HUNTING of flowers and bugs is the most challenging and rewarding pursuit. Everyone can do it. The equipment is SIMPLE and readily available for all cameras.
You only need to get a set of Close-Up Lens (CUL). They usually come with a +1,+2, and a +4 Diopter screw in lens. Used singly or in combination (with the strongest first and others stacked on top) you should be able to get ¼ -3/4 and sometimes, depending on the Prime Lens you may get 1 to 1 or Life-size.
Then this in combination with the built in flash DIFFUSED you have a very useable MACRO setup to begin your foray into the MACRO world.
The next step will be to get a set of Extension Tubes (automatic) if you are using an SLR or D-SLR. This will expand your Magnification Factor to about 1.0X - 2.0X or greater in combination with the CUL's.

Now for those that have SLR's or D-SLR's the way to go if you are able afford it is the dedicated MACRO LENS. They range from 50mm up to 180mm. My particular favorite for both working distance and quality is the Sigma 150mm Macro, a really super lens and when coupled with the Canon MTE24 Macro Flash you are truly ready to delve deeply into the MACRO world up to 1X but with the addition of Extension tubes in combination with Cull's you can readily achieve at least 2X with good working distance.

And for those that want to go beyond 2X there is always the Ultimate in MACRO LENS, the Canon MPE 65 that starts at 1X and goes to 5X, a truly remarkable lens SHARP.

Your subjects are everywhere and except for the dead of Winter you will readily find subjects and objects.
Keep in mind that "Composition and balance" guidelines still work. Your goal is to produce a pleasingly crafted image to convey what you saw and visualized in your "Mind's Eye".

You will find that in order to improve your odds of obtaining images you will be involving yourself with the Natural History and Life Studies of the Flora and Fauna of your various hunting grounds. This will make you better equipped to locate and find the subjects that you are seeking. You will be better equipped then to capture the subject doing what it is supposed to be doing.
You may well find yourself collecting various Insect, Flower and Nature Guides so that you may become knowledgeable about your subjects.

This in turn makes the MACRO PURSUIT even more enjoyable.
Recent images to follow soon.

Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Fine Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
http://www.carolebanksimages.com
http://www.athosimageworks.com
http://athosimageworks.blogspot.com//
http://urbanstreet.blogspot.com/
http://athosimageworks.com/serendipity/

Bug Hunting Notes

My recent BUG HUNTS have resulted in a number of beautiful captures of
the local BUG population. Each time I go to my two favorite hunting
grounds I find a new inhabitant has taken up residence. The antics and
habits of the bugs always delights and intrigues me. They are a never
ending delight to observe and capture with my cameras. The camera is a
visual notebook that chronicles the discoveries and observations of the
local bug population. For me this small piece of real estate is my back
yard. I encourage all to explore your own back yard on a daily basis and
see and capture the changing cycle of inhabitants (bugs) as the seasons
cycle. One of the main advantages of using the digital equipment is that
after the initial investment the captures become virtually free and with
the ability to instantly view your results and to edit the same (here I
will say, be ruthless in reviewing and culling the captures of the bad
shots.) you are able to make instant adjustments and move in for more
precise captures. Remember, HAVE FUN.
Each time that you venture forth to hunt bugs you will find a changing
tableau as well as recurring inhabitants and their antics. You will as
you observe and capture learn the habits and preferences of each of the
inhabitants that will allow you to anticipate some of the action that
may take place before your camera. A form of nature study using your
camera as your notebook/sketchbook.
For me, the hunt and chase and stalking of bugs and spiders and
fliers is an all consuming passion that I must fulfill and feed on a
daily basis. It is both fun and exhilarating and challenging. (how can
I capture bugs in flight with my hand held rig???) That is one of my
main challenges.... I am open to tips and hints and techniques from
Others.
"FOCUS ON THE EYES' IS THE TRICK and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Fine Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
http://www.carolebanksimages.com
http://www.athosimageworks.com
http://athosimageworks.blogspot.com//
http://urbanstreet.blogspot.com/

More and More Bugs

The Wasp/Yellowjacket shown comes to these bushes to drink water from the small pools trapped in the curvature of the leaves. A great place to photograph/capture the subjects up close and personal. What comes with observing what the Bugs do and their habits.
Good Hunting
LOL

The Cove and It's Bugs

Here it is Friday and another good hunt day. Still need to concentrate
more on the FOCUS POINT which for me is the "EYES" of the bug. The next
bug hunt need to try the Stabilizer Strap to act as a makeshift tripod.
This may give me some more stability on the 1X - 1.5X shots. I like to
try to get close in on the "EYES" and the face9head0 of each bug. Will
process and post pics tonight or tomorrow.
LOL
Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Digital Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
http://www.carolebanksimages.com
http://www.athosimageworks.com
http://athosimageworks.blogspot.com
http://urbanstreet.blogspot.com/

Bugs Galore

I have been hunting daily for the past week and the hunting has been good.

Hunting Jumping Spiders

Very successful Bug Hunt this week end. I found a spot that has a number of Jumping Spiders, at least three varieties, as well as other Bugs. I will have to come back some more to document the life of these wonderful spiders.
Enough for now.
LOL

Macro Notes

For me, to be in the field, roaming and hunting and stalking the BUGS
and other URBAN details to CAPTURE with my cameras is a challenge and
high that is exhilarating. It is my passion and I hope to share this
experience with you on an ongoing basis in the hope that you will stop
and look and see the world around you. There is unbelievable beauty to
be found even in the depths of a large Urban Environment. Everything
that I present has been found and captured in an Urban Environment.
Every City and Town has parks and gardens and playing fields where if
you look you will find an unbelievable amount of subjects for your
camera. If 'Bugs' are not to your liking then there are flowers,
patterns and small animals and birds that will abound where ever you
are. Then of course there are the general "Urban Details" every where
that you turn. The crazy sign, rust patterns, a cracked window, shadows
and patterns of light and shadow. Stop! Look! And See! Enjoy the world
around you.
It is another warm, sunny day and I am off to see what I can find in the
way of "BUGS" at my usual lunch time hunting ground. The bees were
active to the max. I was able to get some 'In-flight' images and a
number of images of dual and triple Bees on a flower. They do get
aggressive with each other, very territorial. Much like us. The 'Hunt'
today very rewarding and entertaining and some amusement. Will post some
samples from today in the next few days.
Well enough for today.
LOL

BUG Hunting Today Addendum

These images are also from my Saturday-Bug Hunt. Enjoy.

Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Fine Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
http://www.carolebanksimages.com
http://www.athosimageworks.com
http://athosimageworks.blogspot.com//

BUG Hunting Today

Saturday proved to be a very good day for Bug Hunting. Warm and sunny produced lots of activity. Exploring the Parks and Botanical Gardens in your area can proove to be great Bug Hunting grounds through the seasons. Lots of bees, flies, spiders, beetles and many other creatures big and small. ( today I saw some dear and of course a number of lizards) Anyway go out and have fun and Hunt Bugs.
enough for today.
LOL
Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Fine Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
http://www.carolebanksimages.com
http://www.athosimageworks.com
http://athosimageworks.blogspot.com//

BUG Hunting Today

Today was a super fine BUG hunting day. Warm, bright sun, deep shadows
with a slight breeze. The Bees were out in force. They even had some
confrontations at some flowers as 2 or 3 or more attacked the flower at
the same time. This made for some wonderful capture opportunities. Even
some in-flight captures (they need to be processed). It was interesting
watching them as they went from blossom to blossom (Passion Flowers),
they would ignore most then they as a group would settle on a few select
ones as if the others were not worth their effort. It may be that the
ones that
were ignored were exhausted and at the end of their bloom. Still a
number of buds to unfold, so if the weather holds there will be more
activity over the next week or so. For me it is exciting to follow and
look in at the 1X - 1.5X magnification that I work with to watch in
detail the actions and movements and the interactions of the Bees and
other Bugs and Spiders. Mother Nature is truly amazing. Pictures from
today to follow soon.
Well enough for now.
LOL

Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Digital Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
http://www.carolebanksimages.com
http://www.athosimageworks.com
http://www.athosimageworks.blogspot.com

Further MACRO Adventures

9/15/2005: Today being overcast and very cool, there was little Bee
activity. But I went out anyway, as I wanted to test my camera using the
Burst mode to try and capture some Bees in flight! Well the BURST mode
worked but I had difficulty following and keeping focus. This is
something that is going to require a great deal of PRACTICE. The results
will be well worth the effort and practice in following and manual focus
on the BEE or other flying subject. So the plan is to spend the weekend
chasing more BUGS and Bees etc.
Enough for now.
LOL [;>))

Carole Blatchley
Photographer/Digital Artist
athoskat@comcast.net
carolecb@mac.com
Site One
Site Two

Macro Bugs

Here it is the middle of the week and I have completed another shoot session. Able to capture two variteties of bees this time out. It was cool and overcast grey day but still able to find and capture two types of bees. But no luck today to capture any in flight, several near misses but no brass ring today.
Well there is always tommorrow.
Ehough for now
LOL

Macro Shoot for the 11th of September

I set out today to capture some late summer bugs and I ended up with spiders, web makers, and some bees and late butterflies.
I fully expect that as the weather turns cooler and wetter my bugs will disappear till early spring. But that is ok I have about 4000 images to work with for my web sites and for my custom note card sets.
I will then go to my Street Shooting of the urban environment. A continuing exercise that is documenting the changes in and to my local urban environment.
Enough for now.
LOL

Athos Image Works

Here it is the end of summer and it has been months since I updated my Blog!!! And a lot has happened. I have gone to a completely new camera system that has now allowed me to get back into my true love and passion, MACRO PHOTOGRAHY, big time. I Like to explore the MACRO world of BUGS and FLOWERS at 1X + Magnification to see and share the intracasies and beauty to be found there. I will over the next few months be describing my nearly daily explorations and the excitement that I experience as I find and stalk my subjects. I am a BUG HUNTER> Welcome to my world.
Some examples of recent work may be found at: BUGS
Enough for now, more to come.
LOL

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

CBSelf_020v1_logov2

CBSelf_020v1_logov2,
originally uploaded by Athoskat.

My Self Portrait of me at work doing what I love most...

SA_Wheels_06wc_v6

SA_Wheels_06wc_v6,
originally uploaded by Athoskat.

As I did one of my random ride a bouts I came upon a Harley Meet. The results will be posted randomly but I can say I had a great time and a good barbeque....

More Thoughts and Observations

More Thoughts and Observations: 4/23/2005

I have found that the capturing of images and then the process of fine
tuning and preparation for presentation and display is for me a most
enjoyable activity. With the advent of the Digital Camera(create a
link to a DC page?) everyone can now as they go about their daily
activities record and capture those images and moments that stir and
impact the eye and the mind and the soul. They can further expand the
experience by delving into the Editing(link to Adobe/Corel) of images
world to enhance or to create truly original images for your own
enjoyment and pleasure or to share with the world at large via
print(link to iPhoto/Adobe books) and/or the web.

My personal bias for cameras, are the Olympus(link to OLY) C7XX series
and the C8080. Soon I will add the E300 DSLR to my arsenal. Some
would wonder why so many cameras? Well each fulfils a function and
each excels in a particular area. As I love the MACRO world, the
C8080 is my basic/main MACRO camera that more or less stays set up
with Plus #4/#5 lens attached and diffuser panels for the flash. I
occasionally remove these to do some Wide Angle Street captures. My
basic Street camera ia my C750 with and old C2100 as a back up. These
two cameras have long (10X) zooms and good shutter speed/f stop range.
The C750 is compact enough that its unobtrusive while I am doing my
Walkabouts in the city. Because of the long zoom it allows me to have
some distance between me and my subject so as not to interfere or
disturb the scene, allows for a more spontaneous capture of the
moment.

Enough for now, I will share my tools and how I use them
in more depth as the weeks and months pass. I will be sharing my many
techniques and formulas/recipes that I use in fine tuning and creating
my images.

Egrets

City of Dreams and Egrets,
originally uploaded by Athoskat.

More to be seen as you Walkabout.